There is something remarkable about watching a child hold a mixing bowl with both hands and stir with total concentration. That’s what happens every month at Rise Above during Cooking Class, and this month, the children are making brownies for their dads.
On June 17, our children will gather in the kitchen with Ms. Patty to bake a fresh batch of brownies. They’ll measure ingredients, pour and stir, and follow each step of the process together. The next day, those brownies will be served at our Father’s Day Lunch, making them a gift the children helped create.
Cooking is woven into our curriculum for good reason. In the kitchen, children practice math through measuring and counting. They explore early science through how ingredients change when combined and heated. They build language as they name ingredients, describe textures, and talk through the steps. Most importantly, they develop patience, focus, and a sense of real accomplishment.
At Rise Above, we believe children are capable. Cooking class gives them a chance to prove it to themselves. When a child says, “I made that,” about something their dad is eating for lunch, that is a moment of genuine pride.
This is what learning looks like in our classrooms: hands in the dough, hearts in the work, and a beautiful reason to share it with someone they love.
